Weighted feed roll for woodworking machines



0. P. SMITH Oct. 14, 1952 WEIGHTED FEED ROLL FOR WOODWORKING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1949 3nnentor mu R Oct. 14, 1952 O sMlTH 2,613,706

WEIGHTED FEED ROLL FOR WOODWORKING MACHINES Filed March 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nvemor 0250M P 5M1 TH Cittomeg 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @JLU lmventor 025ml P. SMITH (Ittorneg O. P. SMITH WEIGHTED FEED ROLL FOR WOODWORKING MACHINES Filed March 26, 1949 Patented Oct. 14, 1952 WEIGHTED FEED ROLL FOR WOOD- WORKING MACHINES Orson P. Smith, Seattle, Wash., assignor, by to Smithway Machine (30., Inc., Seattle, Wash, a corporation of Washmesne assignments,

ington Application March 26, 1949, Serial No. 83,600

Claims.

for the making of moldings from the strips.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a strip feed mechanism as above stated, comprising dual, synchronously driven rollers that are weighted to maintain frictional driving contact with the stock to advance it to the cutter head and which rollers are so supported that the likelihood of damage to strips, by reason of the feed rolls dropping between successive strips, will be eliminated.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a strip feed mechanism embodying feed rolls arranged in tandem and having a novel form of pressure exerting means, common to both rolls but providing that one fed roll cannot drop to 7 any substantial extent below the level of the other.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination of parts and in their mode of operation as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: s

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a woodworking machine embodying the improvements of the present invention therein.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the machine, showing the feed rolls and pressure mechanism embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a top, or plan view'of the feed rolls as shown in Fig. 2, and their driving means.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the arrangement of chain belts whereby the feed rolls are driven in unison.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5- 5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line G--6 in Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated a woodworking machine in which a strip feeding mechanism embodied by the present invention has been incorporated. The machine, as therein shown, comprises a box-like base 10 on which a frame structure, designated in general by reference character I2, is secured. Associated with 'the machine in suitable manner is an electric motor l5 for driving the horizontal, upper and lower cutter heads, which in Fig. l are designated, respectively, by numerals l6 and I1. Also, there is an electric motor I8 mounted in the frame in suitable manner for driving a front, vertical cutter head designated by numeral i9, and a similar rear cutter head not shown. Strips of wood to be cut into moldingsof definite pattern by means of the above mentioned cutter heads are advanced by a feed mechanism, presently to be explained, across a horizontal feed table 20 as guided by a vertical guide flange 2| ex tending upwardly from the back or inner edge of the table, as noted best in Figs. 2 and3. The feed mechanism which characterizes this invention is located at the right-hand end of the machine, as seen in Fig. l, and its construction and mode of operation will now bedescribed.

Mounted within suitable openings provided therefor in the feed table20, are freely revoluble rolls 22 and 23. These are revoluble on spindles 24 and 25, set in parallel relationship and at such position in the frame structure as to support the rolls flush with the table surface for the feeding of the strips thereacross. These rolls extend at right angles to the plane of flange 2| and path of travel of the strips to the cutter heads. Located substantially directly above the rolls 22 and 23 are driven pressure rolls 21 and. 28, revolubly mounted by supporting axles 21' and 26' that extend from their inner ends. These axles are revolubly contained in bearings 29 and 32 which areequipped, respectively, with sup porting arms 3i and 32 which areswingably mounted on a shaft 35 that is parallel with and located between the driven rolls and which extends rearwardly from 3, lug 40 that projects upwardly from the table 20 in alignment with the flange 2|.

The means for and manner of mounting the two rolls 21 and 28 as above described provides that they may be moved directly toward or from the rolls 25 and 26, to adapt them to the feed ing of pieces of varying thicknesses, and to bear directly against the top surface of a strip of wood to advance it along the table to the cutter heads. 1 It is herein provided that the driven rolls21 3 and 28 shall maintain frictional driving contact with the wood strips but that they shall not be permitted, either singly or together, to drop to any appreciable extent toward the table surface as a strip passes from between them. It will be understood by reference to Fig. 2 that if such dropping of a roll should take place, the drop might damage a projecting tenon, or mar the forward end of the next incoming stick. The present invention provides that adequate feeding pressure on the stick shall be:.maintained by the feed rolls and that the rolls shall be permitted to rise shoulda stickof greater thickness enter between them. and. the. lower.

rolls.

The means provided for maintaining downward pressure on and for limiting the-extent of drop of the driven rolls comprises a vertical slide bar 36 that is mounted at its lower end for vertical movement in a guideway 3'! formed in a bracket 3 that is bolted or otherwise fixedto the back face of-thetable 20,- as is-shown best in Fig. 6; the pressure has 36 extending above .and beingr disposed between the. longitudinat axes of. the driven pressure rolls 2'! and 28. The bracket is formed-with a-rearwardly extended and upwardly directed arm 31m, spaced. rearwardly from the table lug 40. Thelug-v 49. and bracketarmare formed with bearings 38. and 39in which the shaft 35, previously mentioned, is-rotatably contained. The vbar. 36 is also formed with avertical slot 36s through which the shaft 35 extends as a supplemental guide, .as will-be understood byreference to Fig. 5.

Extended horizontally from the. bar 36,. in opposite directions,- atthesame level, are arms 44-41., which .respectively overlie the bearings M ami. 39.' Attheir outer. ends,- these arms as shown in.Fig..5,' extend through lugs 42-42 that extend upwardly from the. bearings. It is sliownlb'est in Fig. 2 that the lugs are formed with passages, as at 4343 to receive the arms ll-4|" therethrough. and that anti-friction rolls '44 are. set inthe lower surfaces of these passages lforcontactby thearms for the application of downward pressure. Likewise, cross rollers45 are set'in'the top surfaces'of'these passages forthe sustaining of the rolls against drop'exceptto limited extent. It is to be observed that the verticalspacing of the rolls 44 and45 is such that neither-of the feed rolls will be permitted to drop when passing from the end of a stick to m-ore'than avery short distance. The slight or limited freedom of action provided for in this lost-motion connection permits the feed rolls to maintain adequate driving contact with the sticks yet prevents that damage which might result from an unrestricted drop of either roll.

The means for maintaining a downward force or pressure on the feed rolls to insure the desired frictional driving contact with the wooden strips comprises aweighted lever arm 50. This has a pivot pin connection at one end, with the upper end 'of a standard 52 that'extendsupwardly from'the table structure; The'lever extends substantially horizontally and passes through a horizontal passage 53 in an enlarged upper'end portion of the slide 36 as noted in Fig. 6. At its free end, the'lever'has a weight 55slidably adjustable thereon, adapted to be secured at any setpositiorr'of'adjustment by a set screw 56 threaded therein to engage the'lever. Rollers 51 are set in the passage 53' belo'w and above the lever as noted in Figs. 5 and 6 to :receive the pressure of the lever thereagainst.

In order to limit the downward extent of movement of slide 36 as required in setting it for the feeding of sticks of a definite thickness, I have equipped the slide 36 with an adjusting screw 60. This is threaded vertically through lugs 6|-6l formed on the front side of the-slide as seen in Fig. 2, and at its lower end the screw engages in direct supporting contact with the fiat top surface of the previously mentioned lug 46. An adjusting wheel 65 is fixed to the upper end of; the screw, and by turning it the feed screw may be so adjusted as to obtain a definite spacing of the feed rolls, as supported by the arms 4| -4i', from theztable surface. The pressure of? the feed :rollsmay be increased or decreased by moving the'iweight farther out or closer in on the lever arm..

To drive the feed rolls 2'! and 23 in proper direction' and in unison, their mounting axles are equipped at their inner ends with sprocket wheels 10.'H, asseeninFig. 3. These are aligned, respectively, with. sprocket wheels 12- and 73. of like .sizeon .the inner end-'ofshaft 35, and chain belts l5 and'lfiiare extended. about. the aligned sprocket .wheels. Also, a. sprocket wheel 77 is fixedon shaft 35 and a driving chain belt 78 is extended. thereover. This latter belt mayhave any. suitable driving connection with one of the electric motors. The direction of drive is such that sticks fed across the table beneath the driven rolls will be advanced toward the cutter head.-

Assuming the machine tobe so constructed, the mode of usewould beas follows: First, .the hand wheel 65Jis manipulated to.bring the feed rolls Zl'and 28 to proper spacing from the table .top, as determined by the thickness of material to be worked on. Then the weight is adjusted along leverfillto give the desired. or proper frictional pressureof the rolls. Material .is then fedinto the machine, across the .table top and is picked up'by the feed rolls and advanced as. indicated in.Fig. 2,. to the cutter heads, which would be equipped with cutters as. required. to. produce moldings. of any specified pattern;

Thestock or strips may be fed end to end, and while the Weighted lever 50, acting through the bar 36 andarms 4!4l', maintains'downward pressure on both feed rolls, neither roll is permitted to drop to any extent upon passing from the end' of an advancing strip. Thus, damage to the stock'is prevented'without in any way makingit diflicult to advance the stock. In fact. the drop of a roll as it passes from the end of a strip is limited to such extent that the roll has no diffi'culty in picking; up the next oncoming stick.

Feed mechanism of this kind is applicable to various kinds of machines other than that here shown and it is not the intent that the invention be-restri'cted to any specific machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim'as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: p

1. In a woodworking machine, a table across which strips of material are adapted to be advanced; endwise and in succession, diven feed rolls arranged in tandem and with which the entering strips successively engage for their ad vancement, mountings for said rolls supported for their'independent movement toward and from the table, a vertically movable. pressure bar associated with the table and extending above and disposed between the longitudinal axes: of: said rolls, means limitingthe downward movement: of the pressure bar in accordance with the thickness of the strips being advanced across the table, means maintaining a downward force against the pressure bar, arms ex tending laterally in opposite directions from the pressure bar, each arm having a lost-motion connection with the mounting of one of the rolls and through which connection downward force may be transmitted from the pressure bar to the roll to press the roll into driving contact with a strip being advanced beneath the roll and whereby a limited downward movement of the roll relative to the pressure bar without transmission of downward force against the roll by the arm is permitted when said roll is not in contact with an advancing strip, said movement being defi nitely limited by the lost-motion connection of the roll mounting with the arm of the downwardly stopped pressure bar to that permitting easy pick-up of the next advanced strip by the roll.

2. In a woodworking machine, a table across which strips of material are adapted to be advanced, endwise and in success, driven feed rolls arranged in tandem, and with which the entering strips successively engage for their advancement, mountings for said rolls supported for their independent movement toward and from the table, a vertically movable pressure bar associated with the table extending above and disposed between the longitudinal axes of said rolls, means limiting the downward movement of the pressure bar in accordance with the thickness of the strips being advanced across the table, means maintaining a downward force against the pressure bar, arms extending laterally in opposite directions from the pressure bar, said mountings each being provided with a lug having a horizontal passage extending through the same, each of said arms extending through the passage in one of the lugs with clearance, whereby downward force may be transmitted from the pressure bar to the roll to press the roll into driving contact with a strip being advanced beneath it, and a limited downward movement of the roll relative to the pres sure bar without transmission of downward force against the roll by the arm is permitted when the roll is not in contact with an advancing strip. said downward movement of the roll being definitely limited by the engagement of the arm with the lug to that permitting easy pick-up by the roll of the next strip advanced thereto.

3. A machine as recited in claim 2 wherein the said means maintaining downward force on the pressure bar comprises a lever arm pivoted at one end on the table to extend substantially horizontally and said pressure bar has a passage through which said lever freely extends in supporting contact with the bar, and a weight is adjustable along the lever arm to vary the bar pressure against the feed rolls.

4. A machine as in claim 2 including a revolubly driven shaft mounted parallel with and between the roll bearings, arms extended from the said bearings and pivoted on said shaft, for the up-and-down movements of the feed rolls, supporting shafts for said rolls revoluble in their respective bearings, sprocket wheels on said shafts, sprocket wheels on the driven shaft and chain belts extended over said sprockets to drive the rolls.

5. In a woodworking machine, a feed table, a cutter head, feed rolls arranged in tandem for the feeding of strip material across said table to the cutter head, a drive shaft for each roll, a bearillg for each drive shaft, a driven shaft mounted between and parallel with the drive shafts for the rolls, supporting arms extending from the bearings and pivoted on the driven shaft for upward and downward swinging of the feed rolls relative to the table, a vertical guideway associated with the table, a vertical pressure bar mounted for up-- and-down adjustment in the guideway extending above and disposed between the longitudinal axes of said rolls, a log extending upwardly from each of said bearings and having a horizontal passage extending through the same, each of said arms extending through the passage in one of the lugs with clearance, whereby downward force may be transmitted from the pressure bar to the roll to press the roll into driving contact with a strip being advanced beneath it, and a limited downward movement of the roll relative to the pressure bar without transmission of downward force against the roll by the arm is permitted when the roll is not in contact with an advancing strip, said downward movement of the roll being definitely limited by the engagement of the arm with the lug to that permitting easy pickup by the roll of the next strip advanced thereto, weighted means for urging the pressure bar downwardly, an adjusting screw on the pressure bar engageable with a part on the table for limiting the downward movement of the pressure bar, and means for driving the feed roll in unison from said driven shaft.

ORSO-N P. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 11,984 Blood May 13, 1902 157,959 Flanders Dec. 22, 1874 358,972 Gray Mar. 8, 1887 398,048 Hutchinson et al. Feb. 19, 1889 412,451 Benjamin Oct. 8, 1889 448,163 Paine Mar. 10, 1891 936,659 Perkins Oct. 12, 1909 1,109,747 Giertsen Sept. 8, 1914 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 216,471 Great Britain May 15, 1924 480,711 Germany Aug. 7, 1929 

